Mountain Views News          Saturday, September 5, 2015

7

Mountain Views-News Saturday, September 5, 2015 

BY GADS! 

THIS IS HISTORY: 

ARCADIA CHRISTIAN 

SCHOOL CELEBRATES 70 YEARS

By Michelle H. Lee

Arcadia Christian School celebrates its 70th anniversary this 
year. It was founded in 1945 with just eighteen students as the 
independently incorporated Christian School Society of Arcadia. 
This non-denominational school has since expanded to include 
preschool through 8th grades, having served thousands of students 
and families from the San Gabriel Valley over the last seven 
decades. Starting as a one-room schoolhouse on the grounds of the 
Santa Anita Park Racetrack, the original building was later moved 
to the parking lot of the Arcadia Christian Reformed Church, 
and, subsequently, to a property on Lemon Street in Arcadia. The 
school campus currently resides at 1900 S. Santa Anita Avenue. 
Understanding the significance of the school’s inception begs a 
look at how it ties into the fabric of Arcadia’s rich history, as well 
as how America’s socio-economic milieu gave rise to our local and 
contemporary Christian-based model of education. 

 When Elias Jackson “Lucky” Baldwin first laid eyes on the lush 
foothill landscape he would purchase in 1875 and later name 
Arcadia, his declaration of “By Gads! This is paradise” gave way to 
his vision of cultivation and cityhood that would later become the 
grounds of his sprawling estate at Rancho Santa Anita, now known 
as the Los Angeles County Arboretum and Botanic Gardens. 
Further, his commercial development would be crowned by his 
final dream of building a first-class racetrack in his beloved home 
of Arcadia. Though this would lead to the local economy becoming 
somewhat based on colorful endeavors in entertainment, sporting, 
gambling, and hospitality, the humbling effects of World War II 
also shaped the American family and the Arcadian household. 

 When Arcadia Christian School opened at the Racetrack in 
1945, the city of Arcadia was just 33 years old. At this immediate 
post World War II juncture, there had been heavy male military 
enlistment, effectively pulling many families apart. Women now 
constituted 37% of the workplace, images of which are portrayed 
in propaganda posters depicting Rosie the Riveter, the iconic, 
bandana-clad female munitions industry worker. The Santa Anita 
Racetrack re-opened that same year after a three-year closure, 
during which time it served as the nation’s largest detention and 
relocation facility for Japanese Americans (including American 
actor George Takei who portrayed television show Star Trek’s 
Ensign Sulu) and later, as an military training camp. Notable 
contemporaries of the new Arcadia Christian School included 
thoroughbred champion Seabiscuit’s rider, jockey George Woolf, 
who won the Santa Anita Derby that year riding Bymeabond; the 
renowned Derby Restaurant; Lucky Baldwin’s palatial family 
estate hosting visits from world ambassadors and Hollywood’s 
elite; and the Baldwins’ long-naturalized peafowl which flourish 
in the Arboretum’s vicinity with unapologetic abandon even today. 

 Despite the often romanticized charm and whimsy associated 
with this Big Band era, Arcadian families faced a difficult dilemma 
in the home: Many men were still enlisted in the military. Scores 
of women, whose family role was to serve as paragons of virtue, 
had ventured outside the home to join the “ranks of the hidden 
army” in the US workforce. Who, then, would carry on serving as 
the bastions of morality for our youth? In an avant-garde move, a 
group of concerned parents from the Arcadia Christian Reformed 
Church sought to provide a Christian education for their children. 
Their vision was to provide a school setting that would assist 
parents in raising their children according to their families’ moral 
beliefs. 

 Hence, the churning forces that altered the face of family life 
were reflected in the opening of Arcadia Christian School. In a 
climate of household change, economic scarcity, and seemingly 
incongruous burgeoning glamor, the school provided a safe haven 
for children who might not otherwise have access to both a steady 
stream of book learning and a principled upbringing. – It offered 
an adaptive means for forward-thinking families to educate their 
children in an environment they could scarcely provide with both 
parents working outside of the home. 

 The role of Arcadia Christian School may have evolved since it 
first opened its freshly riveted doors, but some timeless, basic tenets 
continue. Academics, character, and service remain at the root of 
the school’s cause. Providing excellent education in a Christian 
environment and giving back to the community persist as driving 
forces. The school actively contributes to local and international 
efforts, such as Operation Christmas Child and various other 
organizations providing domestic and international aid. It grooms 
students who go on to become model citizens. Of note is former 
Arcadia Christian School student, Kimberly “Kim” Rhode, who 
went on to become an Olympic medalist for the United States in 
shooting, including three gold medals, in a record five consecutive 
Olympics. 

 For more information about the 70th Anniversary Celebration 
Event on 9/25/15, contact the office of Arcadia Christian School at 
(626) 574-8229. Tickets are available until 9/14/15. Information 
about the school can be found on the website, www.acslions.com. 
Special thanks to Rachel Conger, the Parent Teacher Organization, 
and the faculty and administration of Arcadia Christian School for 
providing photographs and school history. Acknowledgement to 
the historical works of former Arcadia Public Librarian, Richard E. 
Miller. 

ARCADIA POLICE BLOTTER

For the period of Sunday, August 23rd, through Saturday, August 
29th, the Police Department responded to 1,154 calls for service of 
which 134 required formal investigations. The following is a summary 
report of the major incidents handled by the Department during this 
period.

Sunday, August 23:

Just before 2:17 a.m., an officer responded to the 800 block of West 
Huntington Drive regarding a vandalism report. An investigation 
revealed unknown suspect(s) spray painted the word “Toy” in black, 
blue, and green paint on the side of an apartment complex. A witness 
reported seeing two subjects leaving the area. 

 The subjects were described as a white male, 16 to 17-years-old, 
wearing a black t-shirt and dark shorts. The second subject was 
described as a Hispanic or Middle Eastern male, also 16 to 17-years-
old, wearing a light grey hooded sweatshirt. The investigation is 
ongoing.

 At approximately 9:49 a.m., officers responded to the intersection 
of Duarte Road and Second Avenue regarding a suspect who had 
brandished a weapon during an incident of road rage. The victims 
stated the suspect was driving erratically and pointed a black 
handgun at them. Officers conducted an area check but were unable 
to locate the suspect.

 The suspect is described as a Hispanic male, approximately 30 
to 35-years-old, 180-200 pounds, with a mustache and goatee. The 
vehicle is described as a white, 2013 Ford F150 pickup truck. The 
investigation is ongoing. 

Monday, August 24:

At about 5:08 a.m., an officer responded to a residence in the 500 
block of North Santa Anita Avenue regarding a vehicle burglary 
report. The victim discovered an unknown suspect had entered his 
vehicle through an open window and stole his vehicle registration 
and stereo faceplate. The investigation is ongoing.

 At approximately 11:10 p.m., an officer initiated consensual contact 
with two subjects in a parked car near the 11800 block of Goldring 
Road. An investigation revealed the juvenile passenger was in 
possession of concentrated cannabis and the adult driver admitted 
to driving the juvenile to the location to smoke. The 19-year-old 
male driver from El Monte was a cited and released in the field. The 
16-year-old juvenile male, also from El Monte, was cited and released 
to his mother.

Tuesday, August 25:

Around 10:52 a.m., an officer responded to the front counter of the 
Arcadia Police Department regarding a report of sexual battery. The 
victim stated she was walking alone near Dana Middle School, 1401 
South First Avenue, when she was “bear hugged” from behind by a 
juvenile male. The suspect then released the victim without causing 
injury. 

 The suspect is described as a 16 to 17-year-old Asian male, 
approximately 5’7”, with a chubby build. He was seen wearing a black 
hooded sweatshirt and a black beanie with white trim and white 
tassels. The investigation is ongoing.

 Just after 2:41 p.m., an officer responded to the front counter of 
the Arcadia Police Department regarding a sexual battery report. 
An investigation revealed the victim was attacked near Arcadia 
High School, 180 Campus Drive, in the same manner as the earlier 
incident. The second victim described the suspect as a 16 to 20-year-
old Asian male, 5’7”, light skinned, with a large build. The suspect is 
outstanding at the time of this report. 

 Wednesday, August 26:Shortly after 9:55 a.m., an officer conducted 
an enforcement stop on a vehicle in the area of Tenth Avenue and 
Jeffries Avenue for texting while driving. Upon contacting the driver, 
the officer discovered the 24-year-old male from Rosemead was 
driving with a suspended license. He was cited and released in the 
field. The suspect’s vehicle was impounded for 30 days.

 At about 7:34 p.m., an officer conducted a traffic stop on a vehicle 
in the area of Huntington Drive and Second Avenue for a broken tail 
light. Upon contacting the driver, the officer noticed the 33-year-
old male from Los Angeles displayed characteristics consistent with 
drug use. Through a series of tests, the officer confirmed the suspect 
was under the influence of drugs while operating a vehicle. He was 
arrested and transported to the Arcadia City Jail for booking.

Thursday, August 27:

At approximately 1:56 a.m., an officer responded to the business 
complex at 650 West Duarte Road regarding a commercial burglary 
report. An investigation revealed an unknown suspect kicked in the 
front door to one of the businesses. A witness confronted the suspect 
causing him to flee on foot southbound toward Naomi Avenue. The 
suspect was gone upon the officers’ arrival. 

 The suspect is described as a white male, bald, with a tall and 
muscular build, wearing a tight fitting black t-shirt. The investigation 
is ongoing.

 Around 5:38 p.m., an officer responded to Macy’s at the Westfield 
Shopping Town, 400 South Baldwin Avenue, regarding a shoplifting 
report. Surveillance footage revealed the suspect concealed numerous 
items of merchandise in her purse before exiting the store and failing 
to make payment. She was arrested and transported to the Arcadia 
City Jail for booking.

Friday, August 28: 

At about 10:12 a.m., an officer responded to 7-Eleven, 1003 South 
Baldwin Avenue, regarding a battery report. The officer discovered 
the suspect threw a lighter at the victim. The suspect, a 46-year-old 
transient, was arrested and transported to the Arcadia City Jail for 
booking.

 Just after 5:51 p.m., an officer responded to JC Penney at the 
Westfield Shopping Town, 400 South Baldwin Avenue, regarding 
a theft report. An investigation revealed the suspect, a 27-year-old 
male from Los Angeles, has made fraudulent returns to various JC 
Penney locations since 2012. The investigation is ongoing.

Saturday, August 29:

Just after 1:23 p.m., officers responded to Wells Fargo Bank, 1200 
South Baldwin Avenue, regarding a report of fraud. Officers 
determined the unknown female suspect attempted to withdrawal 
approximately $20,000 from the victim’s account using a fake ID and 
a temporary debit card. 

 The suspect is described as a white female in her early 20’s, 
approximately 5’6”, with brown hair. The investigation is ongoing.

 At approximately 3:40 p.m., an officer responded to the front 
counter of the Arcadia Police Department regarding a missing 
persons report. The missing person was last seen on August 4th in 
Santa Ana. The missing person is Huong Vu, a Vietnamese female 
from Arcadia, who suffers from Schizophrenia. Vu has not been 
located as of the date and time of this report.

USC 

CARING 
CONVERSATIONS

TICKETS: $65 in advance; $80 at the gate. 
facebook.com/TasteOfArcadiaGold Sponsors:
September 28, 2015• 40 Booths of Region’s Best Food & Drink• Brazilian Dancers• Newest models Tesla, Cadillac, BMW, Lexus• Valet parking• Live music by 3 performers• Vintage motorcycles and more!
5:30 p.m. – 9 p.m. 
L.A. County Arboretumwww.ArcadiaCaChamber.org or call 626-447-2159Special $48 Ticket Price (save 40%) 
when you dine at these participating restaurants 
Ask manager at these locations for exclusive discount code card
Arcadia Senior Services with 
support from USC Davis 
School of Gerontology, Family 
Caregivers Support Center 
(FCSC) is presenting a series 
of stimulating educational 
programs the third Friday of 
each month. Come join us and 
receive important information 
to relieve stress in your life as a 
caregiver and take better care of 
yourself. 

 Meets every 3rd, Friday of 
each month, September 18 and 
October 16. Place: Arcadia 
Community Center, 365 
Campus Drive, Arcadia

Time: 10am - 12noon

The upcoming programs are:

September 18th, Community 
Resources for Caregivers

October 16th, Medication 
Management for Caregivers

Walk-ins are welcome, 
reservations are encouraged, 
please call 626.574.5130

About the City of Arcadia

Nestled in the foothills of 
the San Gabriel Mountains, 
Arcadia is an 11.38 square mile 
community with a population 
of just over 56,000. Located 
approximately 20 miles east 
of downtown Los Angeles, 
Arcadia is known for combining 
small-town charm with the 
conveniences and amenities of a 
mid-size city. Arcadia is a full-
service charter city governed 
by a five-member City Council, 
elected at large. Recognized 
for exceptional education 
and recreation opportunities 
and beautiful neighborhoods, 
Arcadia is also defined as the 
“Community of Homes” and 
has twice been designated the 
“Best City in California in which 
to Raise Kids” by Business Week 
Magazine.


Mountain Views News 80 W Sierra Madre Blvd. No. 327 Sierra Madre, Ca. 91024 Office: 626.355.2737 Fax: 626.609.3285 Email: editor@mtnviewsnews.com Website: www.mtnviewsnews.com